Rice

Part-chirashizushi, part-poke bowl, all-round delicious.

Call this a power bowl if you like – we just call it super-tasty. There are layers of Mexican-inspired flavour in this deeply satisfying dish.

Risotto plus a glass of Barolo equals a good time. Adding Barolo to the risotto? That's a guaranteed formula for fun.

This side is based on the Persian dish of tah-dig, where rice is cooked until it sticks to the bottom of the pan, providing a wonderful mix of fluffy and crunchy elements in the same mouthful.

A hearty main course for the cooler months, these rolls stuffed with rice, onion, minced beef and bacon are exactly the type of comforting home cooking that cures colds, winter blues and everything in between.

Yoghurt marinade makes for super juicy chicken. Here we've paired it with an Indian-inspired pilaf featuring fragrant cardamom, sweet currants and nutty chickpeas.

Pine nuts are a particularly good match with mushrooms – try this with pan-fried pine mushrooms when they come into season, too.